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Naturwissenschaften

Title:		The role of tyramine and octopamine in the regulation of reproduction in queenless worker honeybees
Author(s):		Salomon M; Malka O; Meer RK; Hefetz A;
Address:		"Department of Zoology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel. mor.salomon@mail.huji.ac.il"
Journal Title:		Naturwissenschaften
Year:		2012
Volume:		20111229
Issue:		2
Page Number:		123 - 131
DOI:		10.1007/s00114-011-0877-x
ISSN/ISBN:		1432-1904 (Electronic) 0028-1042 (Linking)
Abstract:		"In honeybees, workers under queenless condition compete for reproduction and establish reproductive dominance hierarchy. Ovary activation is generally accompanied by the expression of queen-like pheromones. Biogenic amines (BAs), in particular dopamine, are believed to be involved in this process by regulating ovarian development. However, the role of BAs in establishing reproductive dominance or their effect on queen-like pheromone production was not investigated. Here, we explored the effect of octopamine (OA) and tyramine (TA) oral treatments on the propensity of treated bees to become reproductively dominant and produce queen-like pheromones in Dufour's and mandibular glands. One bee in a pair was treated with either OA or TA while the other was fed sugar solution. TA was found to enhance ovary development and the production of esters in the Dufour's gland and 9HDA (queen component) in the mandibular glands, thus facilitating worker reproductive dominance. OA, on the other hand, did not enhance ovarian development or ester production, but increased the production of 10HDA (worker major component) in the mandibular glands of their sugar-paired mates. OA is known to induce foraging behavior by workers, while increased production of 10HDA characterizes nursing workers. Therefore, we suggest that TA induces reproductive division of labor, while OA treatment results in caste differentiation of workers to foragers and nurses"
Keywords:		"Animals Bees/drug effects/metabolism/*physiology Behavior, Animal/drug effects/physiology Biogenic Amines/pharmacology Brain Chemistry/drug effects Female Octopamine/*metabolism Pheromones/metabolism Reproduction/drug effects/physiology Social Dominance T;"
Notes:		"MedlineSalomon, Mor Malka, Osnat Meer, Robert K Vander Hefetz, Abraham eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Germany 2011/12/30 Naturwissenschaften. 2012 Feb; 99(2):123-31. doi: 10.1007/s00114-011-0877-x. Epub 2011 Dec 29"